Graduate students interested in charting the growth of our increasingly multicultural, environmentally conscious cities would do well to consider Ryerson’s urban development (master of planning) program.
“We want to prepare planners who understand the changing demographics in Canada and across the world, and to be cognizant of the changing environment and ecology,” says Dr. Sandeep Agrawal, director of the program. To that end, the program examines urban development through multicultural and environmental lenses.
“No other planning program in North America has this dual focus.”
Courses include multicultural city planning policies, “which talks about shifting demographics not just in Canada but across the world,” says Agrawal. Another, planning for sustainability, “is about ecology, global warming and climate change,” he says. “And there are studio courses, where the integration of these two, culture and nature, takes place.”
Depending on a student’s undergraduate degree, the program can be completed in one year or two. “One year is for those who already have an undergraduate degree in planning and some planning experience,” Agrawal says. “Two years are (for) the folks who come from other disciplines like social science, sociology, architecture and industry.”
The program was recently accredited by the Canadian Institute of Planners. The accreditation “tells us, prospective students and the community at large that we offer a quality program,” says Agrawal. “In addition, accreditation helps students get jobs, because more and more jobs require students to have come from an accredited program.”
Typical of Ryerson, the program offers a field placement. So far, placements have included public agencies, such as the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure or Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and private companies, such as Tridel.
Students interested in applying for the urban development program should be critical thinkers, Agrawal says.
“We look for students who have some understanding of the urban environment, who have observed the living patterns around them,” he says.
“In terms of number of applicants, we are in the top three or four programs within the university,” says Agrawal.
The program costs around $7,000 each year. The next session begins in the fall. For more, visit ryerson.ca/surp/current/graduate.
